On March 21, 2024, an open-air exhibition of posters entitled "We Are Our forests" was opened near "Republic Square" metro station on the International Day of Forests. The works of 15 Armenian artists living and creating in Armenia and the Diaspora was presented at the exhibition.
Hambardzum Matevosyan, Chief Adviser to the Armenian Prime Minister, who was present at the exhibition, said: "Along with global warming, we have to perform important functions trying to face the challenges. The biggest tool to deal with them is afforestation."
RA Environment Minister Hakob Simidyan noted, "The RA government attaches importance to the protection of forests. We implement various measures for the protection of forests and the establishment of new forested areas."
Under the Paris agreement of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, it is planned to increase the forest cover of the republic to 12.9%, that is, to increase the forest cover by 50,000 hectares by 2030. Hakob Simidyan responded to EcoLur's question about whether it will be possible to reach this indicator in light of the afforestation carried out so far: "For 2024 and the following years, we are increasing the amount of establishing new forested areas at the expense of state funds. But the pace with state funds alone will not be enough. We are trying to quadruple the pace, not double it. That is why we are now cooperating with international partners and local NGOs. We aim to involve business in the establishment of forested areas as well."
Karen Manvelyan, Director of WWF Armenia, highlighted the importance of cooperation between state structures, international organizations and NGOs. "The protection of forests is a priority for us.”
The exhibition was organized by "My Forest Armenia" NGO, WWF Armenia and the "ATP" Foundation with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
March 22, 2024 at 15:38